Psychology 4170—Advanced Theories: Psychoanalytic and Existential

Fall Semester 2014

Instructor:Dr. Erica Gannon

Class meets: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:45-2 pm (B-12-subject to change)

E-mail:

Website:

Course site: GeorgiaView (accessed through the Swan portal)

Phone:(678) 466-4831

Office: NBS-103

Office Hours:Tuesdays: 11:15 am-12:45 pm

Wednesdays: Noon-2 pm and 3:30-4:30 pm

Thursdays: 11:15 am-12:45 pm

Course Description and Goals

Psychology 4170 is a more thorough look at two important theories that have been influential both in understanding personality development and in the practice of psychotherapy: psychoanalytic and existential theories. We will be studying both theories in much more depth than can be accomplished in a general personality or counseling theories course.

By the end of the course, students will:

  • Have a deeper understanding of the development, concepts, ideas, and applications of psychoanalytic and existential theories.
  • Be more familiar with the original writings of some of the major psychoanalytic and existential theorists, including Freud and Yalom.
  • Understand how these theories, in particular, have been crucial in the development of modern-day psychotherapy, and how they continue to influence practitioners in their interventions with many types of clients.
  • Improve their ability to read about, write about, and critically discuss these theories.

Prerequisites

You must have successfully completed either PSYC 3120 (Therapeutic Interventions) or PSYC 3520 (Theories of Personality) in order to be in this course.

Psychology Dept. Learning Outcomes that apply directly to this course:

  • Understand and apply the major concepts, findings, and theoretical perspectives of psychology.
  • Evaluate research critically and apply research methodologies used in psychology.
  • Communicate effectively and professionally both orally and in writing, including the use of the Style Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Course Requirements
  • Texts: The Freud Reader, Peter Gay, Editor (published in 1989, reissued in 1995; both editions are the same so either is fine);

Existential Psychotherapy, Irvin Yalom (published in 1980);

Love’s Executioner, Irvin Yalom (published in 1989, reissued in 2000; either is fine.)

  • Additional Materials: There will be articles on reserve in the library over the course of the semester that you will be asked to read; often, you will need to make copies of these articles in order to be able to read and study them effectively.
  • Course Website: You will need to access the course website on GaView (accessed through the SWAN portal) throughout the semester. You are responsible for any information that is on the class site on GeorgiaView, so check it often.
  • E-mail Account: Each student should have a CSU e-mail account, and they must use it for this class. There may be times when I will communicate to the class via e-mail, and you will be responsible for that information.
  • Microsoft Word: Written work should be prepared using Word.
  • In-Class Notebooks:Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to this course, you will not need to bring your notebook computer to class; you must only have access to all the above computing requirements outside of class (website, e-mail, and Microsoft Word). Because of many problems with disruptive and unnecessary use of laptops during class in past semesters, I ask that students NOT use laptops in class.

Basic Student Responsibilities

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

  • Student Handbook link:
  • Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities link:

I am confident that we will all treat each other with mutual respect and create a climate in which everyone can feel comfortable. Behavior which disrupts the teaching and learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

Attendance Policy

The university’s official attendance policy is as follows: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

In this course, you are certainly expected to attend the course meetings, and there will beclass-work/participation pointsmost weeks that cannot be made up if missed. Therefore, excessive absences will negatively impact your grade.

Assignments/Grading

Your final grade in this class will be determined using a standard grading system. The total number of points possible in this class is approximately 400. You will have two tests, worth 100 points each, reaction papers/classwork/quizzes, worth a total of approximately 100 points, and a final paper worth 100 points. If you earn 90-100% of total points, you will earn an “A”’; 80-89% will earn a “B,” etc.

Midterm Grades

A midterm grade will be given prior to the last day to withdraw without penalty, which occurs on October 10th, 2014. So, the midterm grade will be entered into the DUCK prior to this date in order to help you make a decision about whether to consider withdrawing from the course. This grade will be composed of several assignments and the take-home midterm exam. Since many of the points for this class occur toward the end, your midterm grade should be considered a general snapshot of your performance up to that point. If you have any concerns about whether or not to withdraw from the course, please consult me.

Tests

The tests (a take-home midterm and a regular, in-class final exam) will cover both material in the reading and material covered in class that is not in your reading. Therefore, it is very important that you be in class. If you must miss class, please be sure to get the notes from a classmate. Tests will be composed primarily of essay questions that will require you to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the material that you have studied in order to properly answer the questions.

In the case of a missed test, a make-up test will be given only in the case of extreme circumstances, such as car accidents, death in the family, severe illness, etc. You must contact me prior to the start of the test (even if it is by e-mail or phone message) to let me know that such a circumstance has occurred, and you must have some kind of documentation supporting the reason for your absence; otherwise, you will not be allowed to make up the test and will be assigned a zero.

Reaction Papers

During the course of this class, I will ask you to write reaction papers on many of the readings that we are covering; the papers will usually be worth 10 points each. The reaction paper should be typed and can be e-mailed to me in advance of class or brought to class the day it is due. I will accept late assignments, but for each day they are late, the grade will be reduced by one letter grade (10%).

These papers will help inform our discussions, so please put some thought into them. Each paper should be approximately 2 typed pages (double-spaced) in length, and should be an informed response to the reading. It should include:

  1. Any opinions you have about the reading or specific content of the reading
  2. Questions or connections that came up for you as you were reading this selection
  3. Your response to the overall message or meaning of the reading—what were the primary messages and what are your thoughts and feelings about those messages?
  4. Any other thoughts you have about the reading

Classwork/Quizzes

At times, we will be doing small group discussions in class, some of which may be for a classwork grade. I also reserve the right to give quizzes on readings. In most cases, these will be worth 5-10 points. In the case of classwork or quizzes, if you miss class that day, you have missed the classwork/quiz and cannot make it up.

Paper

The paper will be due toward the end of the semester(due Tues., Nov. 25thin class), and will involve researching and writing about in more depth a specific topic related to either psychoanalytic or existential theory. We will discuss potential topics as the class progresses, so you will have many possibilities for paper topics. You will need to develop the topic and have it approved by me prior to beginning your research and writing. Topics must be submitted in writing by.

About Reading

This class will cover a great deal of information, so it’s imperative that you keep up with the reading and assignments! We will not always discuss every piece of information from your reading, but you are responsible for it nonetheless. I assume that, as adults, you can read the assigned text chapters and will be willing to ask questions about concepts that you do not understand or about which you would like more information. Class will not be about me repeating all of what is in your book—it will be about expanding upon and deepening your understanding of the information. So, the take-home message is: READ and ASK QUESTIONS!

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will be dealt with in accordance with the CSU Handbook. This means that the minimum penalty issued will be a zero on the assignment for which academic dishonesty occurs, but depending upon the severity of the situation, additional penalties (such as failure of the class) may be imposed. Plagiarism is one form of academic dishonesty. If you copy someone else's work and don't give them credit (e.g., if you use information from a book and don’t properly cite the source), that is plagiarism, and it will be taken very seriously! If you have any questions about plagiarism, please ask – it is better to be safe than sorry! If you are suspected of committing academic dishonesty, your case may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct, and they will follow the judicial procedures described in the Student Handbook.

Other Issues

Cell phones and pagers: Turn them off! It is incredibly disruptive to both me and your classmates to have rings and beeps occurring during class!

Testing procedures: During tests, you will NOT be allowed to re-enter the classroom if you leave, so plan accordingly. You will also be required to clear everything off of your desk space, including phones and other electronic devices.

Tardiness/Leaving Early: Please make every effort to arrive on time; consistently arriving late is disrespectful to other students, as is leaving early. On a related note, please avoid leaving class to take phone calls, use the restroom, etc., as this is also disruptive.

And finally, I’ll repeat an earlier point: When e-mailing me, please use the email address listed at the beginning of this syllabus () instead of GaView’s internal e-mail system.

Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Edgewater Hall 255, 678-466-5445,

Schedule for Fall Semester (May be amended or changed on website!)

Week of August 19th

Tuesday—Introduction to the class

Thursday—Watch video on Freud’s life and work

Week of August 26th

Tuesday—Discuss “An Autobiographical Study” in Freud Reader

Thursday—Continue discussion of Freud’s life

Week of Sept. 2nd

Tuesday—Discuss “Anna O.” in Freud Reader

Thursday—Discuss “On Dreams” in Freud Reader

Week of September 9th

Tuesday—Discuss article on Neuroscience & Psychoanalysis (on reserve or emailed to you—to be determined)

Thursday—Discuss chapter on Bowlby’s Attachment Theory from Contemporary Psychodynamic Theory and Practice (on reserve in library)

Week of September 16th

Tuesday—Discuss “Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality” in Freud Reader

Thursday—Continue with “Three Essays”; also “Freud on Sexuality” from What Freud Really Said (on reserve in library)

Week of September 23rd

Tuesday—Discuss “Civilization and its Discontents” in Freud Reader;Take-home midterm distributed

Thursday—Continue with “Civilization”

Week of September 30th

Tuesday—Discuss excerpt from Kahn’s Between Therapist and Client: The New Relationship (on reserve); Take-home midterm due!

Thursday—Discuss chapter from Bettelheim’s The Uses of Enchantment (on reserve)

Week of October 7th

Tuesday—Discuss excerpts from Yalom’s “Gift of Therapy” (on reserve)

Thursday—Discuss “Life, Death, and Anxiety” in Existential Psychotherapy

Note: Last day to drop without penalty (receiving a grade of ‘W’) is Oct. 10th

Week of October 14th

Tuesday—Fall Break Holiday—NO CLASS!

Thursday—Discuss “Death and Psychotherapy” in Existential Psychotherapy

Week of October 21st

Tuesday—Discuss “If Rape Were Legal . . .” from Love’s Executioner

Thursday—Complete discussion of death/mortality

Week of October 28th

Tuesday—Discuss “Fat Lady” from Love’s Executioner

Thursday—Discuss “Responsibility” in Existential Psychotherapy

Topic for your paper must be turned in to me, in writing, by today, Oct. 30th!

Week of November 4th

Tuesday—Discuss “Existential Isolation” in Existential Psychotherapy

Thursday—Discuss “Love’s Executioner” fromLove’s Executioner

Week of November 11th

Tuesday—Discuss “Existential Isolation and Psychotherapy” in Existential Psychotherapy

Thursday—Discuss excerpt from Victor Frankl’sMan’s Search for Meaning (on reserve)

Week of November 18th

Tuesday—Discuss “Meaninglessness” in Existential Psychotherapy

Thursday—Discuss “Meaninglessness and Psychotherapy” in Existential Psychotherapy

Week of November 25th

Tuesday—Continue discussion of meaning

Final Paper due in class on Nov. 25th

Thursday—No class! Thanksgiving Holiday!

Week of December 2nd

Tuesday—Discuss excerpt from Rollo May’s The Courage to Create (on reserve)

Thursday—Last day of class, Review for Final

Final Exam: Tuesday, Dec. 9th, 12:30-2:30 pm